Questions to Determine Compatibility

I wrote earlier about the questions one must ask when deciding to form a relationship at a later stage in life. It's hard to know what to ask and even harder to know what the acceptable answers are. Up with what will you put?

The other night I realized there was a question I hadn't asked, and the fervency of the answer—at least the implicit answer demonstrated by body language—was somewhere between shocking and laughable.

Here's the question: Are you competitive?

Tyler introduced me to the "Words With Friends" iPhone app, which is a pseudo-Scrabble game, as similar as it can be to Scrabble without violating intellectual property laws. I sent the Jazzman an invitation and, by jove, he signed up. He has moments throughout his workday when he can relax, and it's been fun for me to have this ongoing game with him.

But the other night we came close to our first fight. I had about three letters left, all vowels, and I wasn't quitting until I had played every letter I could play. Resign? No way, José. We were actually sitting next to each other, playing back and forth. "Just resign," he said. "Unh uh," I countered.
"We're not done." The banter continued back and forth until I finally bribed him. "I can only resign when it's my turn. You play one more word and when it comes back to me I'll resign."

Of course, he won. Of course, as soon as that game was over, we started another game. How fun to be with someone who will play real games with me, not mind games.

<Aside On>
I have two other regular WWF partners, Tyler and my friend, Tani. I lost to Tyler last night by only four points, the closest we've ever been in a Scrabble game. He's relentless as a gamer. Tani and I play much more slowly—about a word every two days. She's chasing a toddler and can only play when he goes down for his nap!

Wanna play with me? Download the app and add me—I'm jaycie622.
<Aside Off>

You're probably wondering if I'm competitive. Somewhat, but I do keep telling myself it's only a game. I'm the kind of grandma who always lets the grandkids win. I like to win, but in Scrabble I'd rather have an elegant word than a high score. Kinda boring, I know.